return ticket and hotel booking

In late October, one of my U.S. friends get a single entry L visa from China embassy in Bangkok without providing return ticket and a hotel booking.

However, now the visa policy changes, as I know, some China embassies and consulates ask applicants to provide Tour ininerary (or flight booking )and hotel booking if they go to Mainland China for tourism.

This is the notice of China Consulate in Perth:
From 12th December 2011, all applicants who apply for tourist visa should provide the following documents:

(i). Original passport
(ii) Completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken colored passport photo affixed on it
(iii) Tour ininerary (or flight booking )and hotel booking.
The applicants, who are going to China for visiting families, relatives or friends, should submit a letter of invitation and a copy of inviter's ID.
(iv) All other documents which the Consulate officer may request.

I was just at the Chinese Embassy 2 days ago and they did ask for a ticket and hotel reservation . If you are staying with a friend then it becomes more complicated. You need to show an invitation letter and the copy of the invitee's identification.
Chinese policies do change from time to time so you do have to find out before you go or it will have to be a second trip.